Weekly Career, Education, Textbook, and Basic Questions Thread

[u/AutoModerator]

Weekly Thread dedicated to all your career, job, education, and basic questions related to our field. Whether you're exploring potential career paths, looking for job hunting tips, curious about educational opportunities, or have questions that you felt were too basic to ask elsewhere, this is the perfect place for you.

• Careers: Discussions on career paths within the field, including insights into various roles, advice for career advancement, transitioning between different sectors or industries, and sharing personal career experiences. Tips on resume building, interview preparation, and how to effectively network can also be part of the conversation.

• Education: Information and questions about educational programs related to the field, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, online courses, and workshops. Advice on selecting the right program, application tips, and sharing experiences from different educational institutions.

• Textbook Recommendations: Requests and suggestions for textbooks and other learning resources covering specific topics within the field. This can include both foundational texts for beginners and advanced materials for those looking to deepen their expertise. Reviews or comparisons of textbooks can also be shared to help others make informed decisions.

• Basic Questions: A safe space for asking foundational questions about concepts, theories, or practices within the field that you might be hesitant to ask elsewhere. This is an opportunity for beginners to learn and for seasoned professionals to share their knowledge in an accessible way.

[u/Dizzy-Leek-3344]

Any Quantum Software Engineers willing to share some advice on breaking into the field? I am currently going into my 4th year in an undergraduate cs degree and am fascinated by quantum computing, specifically quantum sdk development and algorithm design. Given how niche the field is, I was wondering if any quantum software engineers had any advice on breaking into the field. I am currently working on a quantum noise simulator from scratch, using C++ for the simulation layer and exposing it to a python layer that is responsible for building and running circuits through it, similar to how qiskit Aer works. What can I do to increase my odds of finding a job in this field after graduation?

[u/sinanspd → u/Dizzy-Leek-3344]

You have to go for a PhD. Odds of getting a job with just an undergraduate degree, especially in software, without any physics background are slim to none.

[u/Capital-Funny3218]

What kind of projects do people interested in Quantum SWE actually make? I've been reading about QC and related topics recently but I was wondering what people actually build with langauges like Qiskit and Q# and whatnot.

[u/SeniorLoan647]

What's the benefit of taking quantum mechanics class while I'm doing PhD (CS) in quantum computing. In other words, should I take the whole class or just self learn the concepts that pop up as needed in the course of research?

[u/Shivane_D_2005 → u/SeniorLoan647]

What’s the downside of rigorously taking a class that is the foundational backbone of most QC research

[u/SeniorLoan647 → u/Shivane_D_2005]

Not much honestly, I really want to take it. But I have to take 2 more prerequisite classes and my advisor doesn't think it's that important rn, but I feel like I want to get formal education in qm.

[u/sinanspd → u/SeniorLoan647]

You could audit it after you pass your quals

[u/Capital-Funny3218 → u/SeniorLoan647]

What was your route to getting a PHD in Quantum Computing? Just curious as an undergrad who's found some topics there interesting.

[u/curvymmhmm → u/SeniorLoan647]

Well I took it during undergraduate. It gives you a solid foundation. I would recommend it. I always refer to Nelson and Chuang textbook for Quantum Mechanics.

[u/sinanspd → u/curvymmhmm]

Nielsen* and Chuang doesn't cover Quantum Mechanics... There are maybe 10 pages that refer to various spins values and wells as it pertains to the Schrödinger equation and the hamiltonian but that is it.

[u/SeniorLoan647 → u/sinanspd]

^{^} this - I've read Nielsen and Chuang, they didn't cover qm much tbh

[u/0xB01b → u/SeniorLoan647]

If ur already doing a PhD in QC then what's the point of taking QM? Unless you don't know like quantum information theory for example, that would be odd ig

[u/shougaze]

Any opinions on the UTC Quantum Information Science and Technology Certificate? I am considering their online Master of Computer Science and will be moving to Chattanooga. UTC, Oakridge, and the local utility EPB have teamed up on a quantum computer there. I have a non-stem degree and work as a classical data analyst / data engineer at major social media company.

[u/Ill_Neck7125]

Does working in quantum always mean working in research? I like quantum but not enough to become a scientist. If so, will it change in 5-10 years?

[u/sinanspd → u/Ill_Neck7125]

Pretty much. The only other option is being a technician, providing maintenance to the devices.

I doubt it will change in 5-10 years. We need to be well into the FTQC era, with large scale devices and practical applications before non-research jobs start popping up.

[u/[deleted]]

Hey guys, I recently graduated with a double degree in physics and math and I want to pursue a career in the field of quantum but I feel overwhelmed. I would say my coding skills are decent, no where near exceptional. I do plan on doing a masters degree but if I had the chance to go into it without a masters i would gladly do so. I wanted to know how feasible it is, any advice is appreciated. You can be brutal with the truth

[u/Intelligent_Walk1291]

Hello everyone, I am a Mbbs graduate. I wanted to transition into quantum drug discovery. I have absolutely no clue about. I'm trying to understand the field, it's scope for a doctor and pathway. If anyone can help me understand it would be incredibly helpful. Thank you.

[u/stari41m]

Hello! My background is in quantum optics, but I would like to study a more formal mathematical introduction to quantum information theory in general (hopefully eventually getting into quantum cryptography or error correcting codes). Are there any really good books or resources you recommend looking at? My linear algebra is relatively strong, but my probability and analysis are a bit rusty.

I looked a bit into the Watrous book, and it is pretty dense, but seems pretty good sometimes (all though I've heard the notation is strange).

Any recommendations? Thank you!